Dr. Peter McIlveen, an Obstetrician/Gynecologist at Total Woman Care, discusses how research has shown that yoga poses that have typically been regarded as dangerous for pregnant practitioners are actually perfectly fine for both mommy and baby!

1. EMBRACING PRENATAL YOGA
Dr. Peter McIlveen, OB/GYN

2. FOR THOSE WHO
UPHOLD AN ACTIVE
LIFESTYLE
remaining active while pregnant is key, as it’s
been shown that active women more easily adapt
to pregnancy than their out-of-shape peers

3. ➤ Carrying the weight
gain during
pregnancy is more
manageable
➤ The physical demands
of labor and birth
will be better
prepared for
➤ Getting in shape
post-pregnancy will
be a more attainable
goal.

4. Even if you weren’t active before pregnancy, participating in more gentle exercise designed for
pregnancy, such as pregnancy Pilates or an aqua-natal class, can be beneficial if safety guidelines
are adhered to and your OB/GYN or midwife gives you the green light.

5. You’ll find you’re more
energized, happier,
well-rested and less
susceptible to back and
muscle pains related to
pregnancy as well as
pregnancy
complications

6. ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR
FORMS OF EXERCISE DESIGNED
SPECIFICALLY FOR THOSE
WITH-CHILD IS PRENATAL YOGA
Moms-to-be who practice prenatal yoga have
found that the exercise helps in maintaining
flexibility and muscle tone as well as developing
crucial breathing techniques that will help during
labor

7. CERTAIN POSES HAVE BEEN ADVISED AGAINST FOR YEARS
➤ Specifically those that require pregnant yogis to lie on their
backs or hold an inversion position
➤ It was understood that these poses could reduce circulation to
the fetus and contribute to a spike in fetal heart rate
➤ HOWEVER, studies have shown this isn’t the case!
➤ Women who have performed these poses later in their third
trimester have demonstrated no adverse changes in maternal
or fetal wellbeing

8. YOGA POSES THAT ARE
NOW SAFE FOR PREGNANT
PRACTITIONERS INCLUDE:

9. CORPSE
POSE
which is a resting pose
performed typically at the
conclusion of your practice,
where the practitioner lies
flat on their back with their
eyes closed and arms
relaxed at their sides

10. DOWNWARD FACING DOG
a pose in which the practitioners
body assumes an inverted “V”
shape, with their hands and feet
planted firmly on the floor, and
their backsides are pointing
upwards

11. CHILD’S
POSE
occurs when a practitioner
starts off by kneeling, and
then bends their upper
body downwards until
their head rests on the
floor in front of their knees

12. HAPPY BABY POSE
requires the practitioner to lay
on their back and bend their
knees into their belly, gripping
the outside of their feet with
their hands, opening their knees
slightly wider than their torso
until their shins are
perpendicular to the floor

13. TO LEARN MORE, VISIT DR. PETER
MCILVEEN’S OB/GYN BLOG AT:
http://drpetermcilveen.net
*As always, consult with your own OB/GYN or midwife before changing your physical routine or if you’d
like to incorporate yoga into your pregnancy exercises